Denver Broncos Jay Cutler gets sacked by Jacksonville Jaguars #97 Reggie Hayward during the fourth quarter on Sunday September 23rd at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, CO. John Leyba / The Denver Post

It appears Jay Cutler will return to the site of his high school championship Sunday, but the Broncos likely will have to wait longer to determine whether they will have John Lynch to help deal with the NFL’s best aerial attack.

A day after the Broncos began to regroup from their first loss of the season, the first order of business was to tend to the health of Cutler and Lynch, two primary cogs in the team’s attempt to try to win at Indianapolis on Sunday. Both players underwent MRI exams Monday, and coach Mike Shanahan said he would talk about their status Wednesday.

However, Cutler, nursing a hurt ankle, made it clear he expects to play Sunday.

“Everything is fine,” Cutler said. “I’ll probably be a little sore on Wednesday, but it should be fine. … I should be able to get a full week in.”

The quarterback suffered his ankle injury in the fourth quarter Sunday when former Broncos defensive end Reggie Hayward sacked him during Denver’s 23-14 loss to Jacksonville. Cutler stayed in the game and appeared to be limping slightly. He received treatment Monday, but didn’t appear to be favoring the leg.

Cutler has no intention of missing his first NFL game in his home state. Cutler, from Santa Claus, Ind., last played in the RCA Dome in the state championship game during his senior season of high school. Cutler helped secure the state title by catching a lateral for a touchdown.

Lynch sat out Monday after suffering a groin injury in the second quarter Sunday. Shanahan said because of Lynch’s toughness, he was more concerned about the safety’s inability to return.

Lynch likely will receive daily treatment and be day to day, but depending on the severity of the injury, it could take him a few weeks to heal fully. Teammates said Lynch is hoping for a quick return because the MRI did not show any muscle tears.

“It probably is sore, but it’s the day after the game,” cornerback Champ Bailey said. “We’ll have to wait and see. John is a leader, and he’ll do everything he can to get back on the field.”

The Broncos suddenly are thin at safety. On Sept. 16, the team lost safety Hamza Abdullah for at least three weeks with a hip injury against Oakland. Abdullah was the team’s No. 3 safety and a special- teams standout. Curome Cox moved up on the depth chart and played in Lynch’s place against the Jaguars.

The team would have used nickel cornerback Domonique Foxworth, who is the top backup at all four secondary spots, but he didn’t play for the second consecutive game because of an ankle injury. Shanahan said Foxworth could be in the mix for significant playing time at safety against the Colts if Lynch is limited or can’t play at all.

Foxworth said Monday he will be ready to play at Indianapolis.

“We’ll see with John. He said he feels better than he thought he would, so that’s a good sign,” Foxworth said. “But I know I’m on the list.”

The team could look to add a veteran safety, but practice-squad safety Steve Cargile also could get the call.

“I’m going to work hard this week, like every week, and if they need me, I’ll be ready,” Cargile said. “That’s my job every week.”

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